AM ride with a new guy
A few days ago I got an email from a friend looking to hook me up with a 'friend of a friend' to ride in the mornings during the week. Awesome! Sure thing! Email introductions were sent, and after some back and forth we met up this morning for a 20+ ride.
We met up at the appointed time and corner. Matt seemed like a nice guy. Pleasantries were exchanged, and off we went. I noticed that he was in the "big-ring" and as we started out, I noticed that I was too. We both accelerated quickly, got to a pace that was most likely a little too quick considering the lack of warm-up that I had, and started to cruise.
The speed didn't slow. We were talking, asking the usual "get-to-know-you" questions, but the pace was up there. Neither of us would shift out of the big-ring in front, and we kept the pace high. I realized what was happening......it was typical, neither of us wanted to slow the pace for fear of looking like he couldn't hang with the other. Or at least that's what I projected.
We continued. The pace continued. Yes, we both turned into "that guy". Neither one of us would let up. We started out hard, and kept it hard. Big-ring all the way.
Avg pace for 20+ miles was 18.5. Not too quick for a flat loop, but this loop has some hills. And yes, neither of us would get out of the big-ring for the climbs either.
All hills were attacked. Out of the saddle climbing. The conversation continued on the climbs. Granted the questions had to be kept short - as did the answers - so you could keep breathing and avoid passing out.
Me (on a short, steep, hill. Out of saddle in the big-ring): "So...(pause) *heavy inhale and exhale*....you from Texas originally?
Matt (on same short, steep hill. Out of saddle in the big-ring): "No...(pause) *heavy inhale and exhale*....New Hampshire"
Finally, with 2 miles to go to the end of the loop where we would split off, there was one last small-ish climb. I got half way up and my legs cried "no mas". I shifted out of the big-ring, and announced: "that's it - I'm done". With that, Matt immediately slowed, shifted down, and relaxed. Damn it. All I had to do was say that 8 miles ago?
You get the point. We turned into total Type-A jackasses.
And we're riding together again on Friday.
A few days ago I got an email from a friend looking to hook me up with a 'friend of a friend' to ride in the mornings during the week. Awesome! Sure thing! Email introductions were sent, and after some back and forth we met up this morning for a 20+ ride.
We met up at the appointed time and corner. Matt seemed like a nice guy. Pleasantries were exchanged, and off we went. I noticed that he was in the "big-ring" and as we started out, I noticed that I was too. We both accelerated quickly, got to a pace that was most likely a little too quick considering the lack of warm-up that I had, and started to cruise.
The speed didn't slow. We were talking, asking the usual "get-to-know-you" questions, but the pace was up there. Neither of us would shift out of the big-ring in front, and we kept the pace high. I realized what was happening......it was typical, neither of us wanted to slow the pace for fear of looking like he couldn't hang with the other. Or at least that's what I projected.
We continued. The pace continued. Yes, we both turned into "that guy". Neither one of us would let up. We started out hard, and kept it hard. Big-ring all the way.
Avg pace for 20+ miles was 18.5. Not too quick for a flat loop, but this loop has some hills. And yes, neither of us would get out of the big-ring for the climbs either.
All hills were attacked. Out of the saddle climbing. The conversation continued on the climbs. Granted the questions had to be kept short - as did the answers - so you could keep breathing and avoid passing out.
Me (on a short, steep, hill. Out of saddle in the big-ring): "So...(pause) *heavy inhale and exhale*....you from Texas originally?
Matt (on same short, steep hill. Out of saddle in the big-ring): "No...(pause) *heavy inhale and exhale*....New Hampshire"
Finally, with 2 miles to go to the end of the loop where we would split off, there was one last small-ish climb. I got half way up and my legs cried "no mas". I shifted out of the big-ring, and announced: "that's it - I'm done". With that, Matt immediately slowed, shifted down, and relaxed. Damn it. All I had to do was say that 8 miles ago?
You get the point. We turned into total Type-A jackasses.
And we're riding together again on Friday.